There's something happening here.
What it is ain't exactly clear.
There's a man with a gun over there,
Telling me I got to beware.
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down...

"Rock is often accused of being loud, overbearing, aggressive and violent. And yet here we have a song where folk and country & western traditions are used to undercut and restrain those very tendencies, in fact to warn of their dangers. The beauty of this song is that it manages to warn of increasing polarization and violence in American society, without taking any stand other than that of acceptance of diversity and free speech. In other words, it comments on politics without itself being political. And while Stills includes comments on authority, he seems to mainly address his peers, subtly warning that strident defense of their positions — and attacks against their opponents' — might threaten the very freedoms, attitudes and life styles they are seeking to protect." reasonstorock.com